North Korea WARNING: China NOT INTERESTED in stopping rogue nation's march to World War 3

North Korea WARNING: China NOT INTERESTED in stopping rogue nation's march to World War 3

NORTH KOREA's allies in China will not intervene to ensure Kim Jong-un give up its nuclear arsenal despite having signed up to harsh economic sanctions on the rogue regime, a former US top official warned.

North Korea has been fueling fears of World War 3 with its refusal to shut down its nuclear weapons development programme in spite of international pressures.

China – North Korea's only close allies in the region – voted in favour of harsher UN sanctions but has continued to economically support the rogue nation by allowing tourists to enter the country

Former US Defense Secretary Ash Carter said Beijing has repeatedly failed "to come through" on sanctions, warning it could undermine international efforts to push for denuclearisation.

He said: "The reality is that China – and I’ve been at this for a long time and talked to the Chinese about it – has never really come through in curbing the North Korean behaviour.

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North Korea: China is considered to be Pyongyang's only close ally in East Asia

"There are reasons for that that I understand however I think to pin too much hope on them is unrealistic."

North Korea’s ties with China, its main ally and economic benefactor, have been frayed over Pyongyang's persistent advancement of its nuclear and missile programmes.

China is currently bound to militarily intervene in support of North Korea by the Sino-North Korea Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation, and Mutual Assistance signed in 1961 – and up for renewal in 2021.

Bejing also sees the rascal state as a "buffer" between China and the democratic South Korea, which houses nearly 29,000 US troops and marines.

The reality is that China has never really come through in curbing the North Korean behaviour

Ash Carter

But Mr Carter also said North Korea continued to pay more attention to US military capabilities rather than Chinese economic pressures and welcomed the recent diplomatic talks between Pyongyang and Seoul.

He told CNN: "I think the North Koreans pay attention first and foremost to the United States, particularly in regards to military capabilities.

"I am very pleased to see the progress between the North and South, including the Olympics and the decision to march together and all of that is good because it reduces the probability that something extraneous – like an incident on the DMZ – can lead everybody inadvertently into war."

Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump called out China for allegedly continuing to provide fuel to North Korea despite the sanctions.